:lmao: Good one.
Yeah based on my very limited understanding, if its patented and blatantly copied, its illegal and the holder of the patent has legal recourse - should they choose to pursue it; if not, its a "too-bad-so-sad" sort of scenario. Like it or not, a good idea for a good product will be copied. What is it they say about the sincerest form of flattery?
For me the bottom line is that as a whole the industry continues to improve design, function, look, etc. and as a consumer I have more options for better performance from aftermarket products than I ever did in the past. I have heard talk on runs about various aftermarket products from various manufacturers being faulty, poorly welded, etc. and then soon thereafter seen those "faulty" products revamped, redesigned, basically made better. If you buy the latest and greatest newest mod, you have to realize that you're going to be in the category of guinea pig, even if the products have been tested. So when someone goes out and buys the very first set of (fill-in blank) and it fails on the trail, well, that's sort of the cost of being test pilot. As long as the manufacturer makes it right, replaces or repairs the item, etc. that shows that they are trying to do right by their customers. And I think all of the companies mentioned in this thread have endeavored to do just that.
Competition is good for the consumer, (i.e. most of us) even if it rubs the guys running the aftermarket companies the wrong way. On the manufacturer's side, it seems like AllPro, Camburg, Icon, etc. are doing a pretty darned good job to me. The only thing I can add to that is that they should either get patents, be flattered when someone copies their design, or just learn to play nice among the competition that arises from a free market. :2cents:
I always liked the attitude that I've heard from one of the aftermarket shops who shall remain unnamed, where i was told, "If someone else can make it better, thats great! But I stand by my product."